Facebook is making changes aimed at giving you more control over what you share. / Facebook

by Jennifer Jolly, Special for USA TODAY

by Jennifer Jolly, Special for USA TODAY

So you want to log in to a new app, online game or forum, and it's so much faster just to click the Facebook login icon versus creating a brand new account for each one. But you're wary of the consequences, as you should be - is the app going to start posting things on your feed? Sharing your personal information? Should you even trust that iconic blue Facebook button anymore?

Facebook has heard your cries and recently made changes to its user accounts to give you more control over what information you share with apps. You probably have a lot of questions, so here are the answers you're looking for:

- "I don't want to share certain information with random apps."

Stay vigilant. Every time you log in to a new app or site using your Facebook information, the "Allow" screen shows you exactly what information you're giving away. You need to check this information line-by-line. You used to have to decide on an all-or-nothing basis, but soon-to-come changes from Facebook let you choose which information you leave open. You have the control now, so don't let it slip away.

- "I hate it when apps post on my profile."

Facebook will no longer allow apps to post things to your profile without your permission. It's up to you to decide whether an app posts things on your behalf. You can be even more specific than ever before and decide who gets to see those postings on your account - whether it be public, friends only or completely private. It's all up to you.

- "What if I want to use an app but don't want to agree to anything?"

Facebook soon will be rolling out a feature that lets you "test drive" apps. It's called Anonymous Login, and it allows you to sign in to an app without making the commitment to share information. It's like putting on a disguise and going undercover, and you can use the app you want right away and decide whether you want to provide additional information later.

- "How do I get rid of old app permissions I no longer use?"

When was the last time you updated your app permissions in Facebook? If you can't remember, there's a really good chance there are a lot of apps with your Facebook information that no longer need it. It's time for spring cleaning! Visit the newly-designed App Control Panel to see a list of the apps you use by clicking "Settings" and then "Apps." Here, you can easily manage specific permissions for each app and even remove apps you don't use. [On Facebook, go to Settings > Apps]

- "How do I stop getting those annoying app invites from friends?"

This isn't a new control feature, but it's definitely a good one to keep in mind. When you receive one of those obnoxious Facebook game invites from a friend (you know, the friend you never talk to but for some reason keeps sending you weird game alerts) you can block them from showing up. Head over to the Blocking section by clicking on "Settings" and then "Blocking." Now you can update your settings to block notifications from specific friends or from certain apps, whichever you choose. [On Facebook, go to Settings > Blocking]

- "Is Facebook the only place I should worry about privacy?"

Absolutely not! Anywhere you go online, there's a chance your activity is being tracked for a variety of reasons, including advertising. You can use the browser add-on called AVG Privacy Fix to reboot your online privacy and keep an eye on everything you share. The simple, free app gives you a picture of just who's tracking you and gives you an easy way to fix it all in one place.

Whether you're a seasoned Facebook veteran or a newbie in the social network scene, changes like these can be confusing. These tips will keep you on the cutting edge of privacy on your favorite social hub and give you some peace of mind when it comes to apps, information, and your own security.

Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech contributor and host of USA TODAY's digital video show TECH NOW. E-mail her at techcomments@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter: @JenniferJolly.